Perhaps no brand has been iterated, copied, challenged, or outright ripped off more than YETI. From its coolers to its drinkware, the Austin purveyor of overbuilt and (according to some) overpriced outdoor hard goods quite literally broke the design mold.
But despite the endless sea of burly tumblers and heavy rotomolded beer haulers, YETI’s singularly unrivaled — and in my opinion, best — product of all is perhaps its most simple: The One-Gallon Jug. A few stickers shy of 5 pounds, the vacuum-insulated, stainless-steel Rambler One-Gallon Jug has proven one of the most useful, versatile pieces of gear to come through the GearJunkie doors almost 10 years ago.
In short: The YETI Rambler One-Gallon Jug is stupid-proof, nigh-unbreakable, and, like the cardboard box at Christmas, so unremarkable that it can suit almost any purpose. Use it for hot chili, spicy margaritas, or just ice-cold water — whether car camping, shooting hoops on a hot day, or ice fishing, it will keep hot things hot, cold things cold, and sate hunger or thirst with its massive capacity. It’s so handy, in fact, that GearJunkie editors have even argued over who has claim over it.
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Value
8.8
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Durability
10.0
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Style
9.0
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Performance
9.8
- Capacity: 1 gallon
- Weight: 4 lbs., 12.6 oz.
- Material: Stainless steel
Pros
- Excellent insulation
- Magnetic cap holder
- Vented spout
- Nonslip base
Cons
- Very heavy
- Too big for hiking/backpacking
Find your perfect drink mate in the GearJunkie guide to the Best Water Bottles.
YETI One-Gallon Jug Review: 8 Years and Counting
Back in 2017, when YETI first unveiled its stout, stainless-steel cistern, it gave context for both its size and versatility. Here’s how it summed up the One-Gallon Jug’s capacity:
- One margarita party
- 16 servings of gumbo
- One bucket of live bait
- 10 cans of soda
In our testing, it’s tackled margaritas, coffee, premade pasta, and a devilish concoction called “jungle juice” that’s proven to wipe the memories of whoever drinks it.
In my original test, a gallon of 39-degree ice water remained at 39 degrees after 11 hours (although the ice had melted). And boiling water cooled to about 165 degrees (still piping hot) after about 8 hours.
But numbers don’t equal experience. A simple jug requires a simple test, and the results from my and other editors’ experience are that hot stays acceptably hot, and cold stays refreshingly cold.
Besides its internal performance, its external resilience has also withstood almost a decade of oopsies, damnits, and oh-no’s! That includes a remarkable (and accidental) kick down the side of a mountain in Colorado. It’s also tumbled out of overpacked trucks onto rough gravel roads and concrete curbs.
The original jug has taken on dents, dings, and a few scuff marks. But it’s still going strong, and none of the hardware has actually broken.
Rambler 2.0 One-Gallon Jug
As noted, the original One-Gallon Jug “found its way” into the backseat of a former editor, who’s since claimed it as his own. But I restocked the gaping hole in my gear closet when YETI updated the Jug after 8 years.
The Rambler 2.0 One-Gallon Jug fixed the few areas of improvement from the original without breaking the simple genius that made it a winner to begin with. Perhaps the best feature of all remains unchanged: the “MagCap” and Dock.
The smaller spout for pouring and drinking has a magnetic cap that would be easy to lose were it not for those pesky, brilliant magnets. The cap sits perfectly on the lid in a magnetic recess, where it will hold fast even if tipped upside down.
With the 2.0 updates, the Rambler One-Gallon Jug now has a vented spout for smoother pouring. It also has a nonslip base, so it doesn’t clang or slide on hard or slanted surfaces. And quizzically, the price of the mighty jug has gone down since its debut. While it originally cost $150, the Rambler 2.0 One-Gallon Jug retails today for $130 for most colors. Beyond that, it’s as splendid and idiot-proof as ever.
What’s Not to Like?
Listen, if you sign up for a big metal jug, you’re going to get a big metal jug. This thing is heavier than any water bottle you own. When it’s full of liquid, you’re probably going to switch which arm you carry it with from time to time.
It’s hard to imagine shopping for a YETI product and being turned off by the weight. However, it bears repeating that this weighs more than a backpacking tent and sleeping bag combined — when it’s empty. If that’s a deal-breaker, you can always see if someone else is willing to share their hot gumbo or cold margarita.
Similarly, filling and cleaning the Rambler One-Gallon Jug is a two-handed affair. The magnetic cap poses zero issues. But if you need to twist off the main lid, you’ll need to hug the jug in the crook of one arm, and twist off the top with your other hand.
It’s not rocket science — just takes a little elbow grease sometimes.
YETI Rambler One-Gallon Jug: Who’s It For?
In a sea of never-ending marketing hype, the One-Gallon Jug is a breath of fresh air. How do you hype a jug, for Pete’s sake?
Sure, it’s received the same color-splashed, beauty makeover that all of YETI’s products have, but at its core, the jug remains an unglamorous, unwieldy marvel.
Its utility reigns supreme, while its function outpaces its form. If you hate being thirsty and love being prepared, you could easily clean out your insulated vessel cupboard and replace almost everything with this one jug. Obviously, you should keep something that fits in a backpack and won’t strain your trapezius from extended use.
But for big days outdoors where you’re bound to work up a sweat or an appetite, the big jug won’t leave you empty-handed.
